There’s no guarantee a dash cam will save the day if you’re ever in a car accident, but if you want one just in case, it’s good to know what kinds are out there and how they work. Here’s what you should look for when you shop for a dash cam of your own.

In this video from the TechQuickie YouTube channel, Linus goes over some of the basics everyone should know about dash cams, as well as some tips for choosing the right model for you. Here are some of the key takeaways:

Make sure you get a dash cam with a looping feature. That way your dash cam will automatically record over old video you no longer need, and you don’t have to delete footage manually.

Look for dash cams that have g-force sensors that can detect when you’ve been in an accident. These types of dash cams will save whatever footage was being recorded at that time instead of looping over it.

Make sure your dash cam can record nighttime footage reliably. If it can’t record what’s happening clearly, it’s not of much use. And models with infrared or night vision aren’t usually very reliable.

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Other things you might want in your dash cam include lane departure warnings to help keep you focused on the road, motion sensors that can detect and record break-ins, and battery backups so it doesn’t run out of juice right when you need it most. Most importantly, though, is image quality. Never settle for a dash cam that records in less than 1080p. Better yet, go for one that records in 2560 x 1080 so you get a better, wider view of what’s happening around your car, not just what’s immediately in front of it.